Truck goes airborne, crashes onto parked cars after police chase in Atwater Village

A violent pursuit ended with a pickup truck launching into the air and landing on two parked vehicles, startling residents from their sleep.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A police chase in Atwater Village, Los Angeles ended in a violent crash early Sunday morning when a pickup truck went airborne and crashed onto two parked vehicles. According to the LAPD, the pursuit began around 1 a.m. near Hoover Street and 95th Street, with the driver of a black truck leading officers on a chase before hitting another vehicle, losing control, and rolling over. Doorbell camera footage captured the truck sharply turning off Los Feliz Boulevard onto Brunswick Avenue, launching into the air, and slamming onto the parked cars below.

Why it matters

Police chases can pose a serious risk to public safety, and this incident highlights the potential for devastating consequences when a pursuit ends in a crash. The violent nature of this crash, with the truck going airborne, raises concerns about the driver's condition and the overall handling of the situation by law enforcement.

The details

According to the LAPD, the driver of the black truck was hospitalized with serious injuries, and one person in another vehicle reported pain, though no major injuries to bystanders were reported. Some witnesses believed another person may have been inside the truck and taken into custody, though the LAPD has not confirmed that detail. The investigation into the pursuit and crash remains ongoing, and the driver's name has not been released.

  • The police chase began just before 1 a.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Los Angeles Police Department

The law enforcement agency that initiated the pursuit and is investigating the incident.

Lance Reyes

A resident whose parked car was damaged in the crash, who expressed shock at the scene.

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What they’re saying

“I thought someone had driven through my house, and when I came out here, there was a car on top of this car and the back part of the car was smashed on top of my car. I was just in shock. I didn't know what to think. It looked like it had fallen from the sky and just smashed down on everything.”

— Lance Reyes, Resident (ABC7)

What’s next

The LAPD investigation into the pursuit and crash is ongoing, and the driver's identity and potential charges have not been released.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the dangers of police chases and the need for careful consideration of when to initiate and continue such pursuits, as well as the importance of policies and training to minimize the risk to public safety.